Kelly critical of censured councillor

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The censured deputy leader of Argyll and Bute Council should ‘consider his position’.

This is the view of south Kintyre Councillor Donald Kelly, speaking before full council about fellow Tory Councillor Gary Mulvaney.

Mr Mulvaney was subject to the reprimand by the Standards Commission for Scotland, last month, after failing to declare a non-financial interest in plans to introduce parking limits near a housing development in Cardross.

The breach arose after the authority’s Helensburgh and Lomond area committee, including Mr Mulvaney, discussed parking restrictions at the Scott Gardens sheltered housing unit – run by Dunbritton Housing Association, of which Mr Mulvaney is a board member – in December 2017.

The censure was discussed at the council’s meeting on Thursday, February 21, with Mr Mulvaney leaving the chamber while talks took place.

Mr Kelly said: ‘I feel it does bring the council into disrepute. I think that Councillor Mulvaney should, in the best interests of Argyll and Bute, consider his position.’

Liberal Democrat Councillor Ellen Morton who is chair of the area committee, said: ‘I am astonished at these remarks.

‘They [the Standards Commission] have imposed the minimum sanction that they could under legislation. They have made it clear it was a finely balanced judgement.

‘It never crossed my mind at that meeting that Councillor Mulvaney had any interest to declare. It was entirely a road safety matter on the A814.

‘He has nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to apologise for, and I am bitterly disappointed in the remarks made.’